Holder for originals to be printed, particularly in automatic photographic printing machines



Aug. 2, 1966 MEY ETAL 3,263,587

HOLDER FOR onmrmns TO BE PRINTED, PARTICULARLY IN AUTOMATIC raowoemrmcPRINTING mcnmns Filed March 15, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 OPE 1' FIG. 2 Q Pt lat a b v I Oat f TE +t OPEN c CLOSED L at open d CLOSED t Aug. 2,1966 H. MEY ETAL 3, 7

HOLDER FOR ORIGINALS TO BE PRINTED, PARTICULARLY m AUTOMATICPHOTOGRAPHIO PRINTING MACHINES Filed March 13, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 2:machine. with, reference to the accompanying drawings, which UnitedStates Patent O 3,263,587 HOLDER FOR ORIGINALS TO BE PRINTED, PAR-TICULARLY IN AUTOMATIC PHOTOGRAPHIC PRINTING MACHINES Hansjuerg Mey,Oberengstringen, Reinhard Zeindler, Zurich, and .Iuergen Bertele,Regensdorf, Switzerland, assignors to Gretag Aktiengesellschaft,Regensdorf, Switzerland Filed Mar. 13, 1964, Ser. No. 351,629 Claimspriority, application Switzerland, Mar. 15, 1963, 3,283/63 7 Claims.(CI. 95-76) This invention relates to a holder for originals to beprinted, particularly in automatic photographic printing machines.

Holders for this purpose should the so constructed that the original tobe printed can be changed as rapidly as possible and that there is norisk of damage to the original. The first of these two requirements isof particularly great importance because in modern automatic machinesthe exposure times are very short and therefore the total printing timedepends to a very great extent on the time required for changing thenegative.

Hitherto proposed negative holders generally consist of a clampingdevice including a plate adapted to be pressed against the film gate,the latter and the plate being provided with mask apertures whichcoincide in the closed position. It is a relatively complicated andlengthy procedure to insert the originals into these known clampingdevices. In addition, there is always a danger that the original will bedamaged.

It is an object of the invention to provide a holder which meets theabove indicated requirements and thus obviates the disadvantages ofknown clamping devices.

According to the present invention there is provided a holder for aphotographic original suitable for holding the original to be printed inan automatic photographic printing machine, wherein the holder is in theform of a plate with a window corresponding in size to the original,there being, mean-s for locating the original in register with thewindow, and wherein the plate is formed with internal passages havingoutlets adjacent, said window and an inlet or inlets connectable to asource of suction, whereby the application of suction to said inlet(s)will serveto hold an. original to be printed against the plate.Preferably the plate is formed with a manifold for said "passages and acommon inlet to the manifold sothat the application of suction to theplate is simplified.

Since the present, film gate is constructed as a suction plate, thechanging of the originals is substantially simplified and the risk ofdamage during the operations of insertion, clamping, and removal ispractically eliminated.

"acts as a buffer and supplies the necessary shock power for the firstphase of the suction operation.

The pneumatic construction of the present holder also afi'ordstheadvantage that a control mechanism for the holder can be inserted in avery simple manner in the complete automatic system of a photographicprinting This will be explained more fully hereinafter 3,263"58 7Patented August 2, 1966 illustrate diagrammatically and by way ofexample. an embodiment of the present invention, and in which:

FIGURE 1 shows diagrammatically a holder for a photographic original tobe printed and a control mechanism for operating the holder,

FIGURE 2 shows the time plan of the control mechanism,

FIGURE 3 is a circuit diagram of an electrical control device,

FIGURE 4 is a plan view of the holder, and

FIGURE 5 a section on the line VV in FIGURE 4.

The holder and control mechanism of the present invention may beincorporated in automatic photographic printing machines of the mostdiverse construction, or may be added to such machines without anyconsiderable expense. Machines of this type are known in themselves. Inthis connection reference is for example made to the machine describedin French patent specification No. 1,253,479. The drawing and thedescription .below are therefore restricted to the holder, its pneumaticsystem, and an electrical control device, while features of the actualautomatic photographic printing machine are mentioned only where this isnecessary for the understanding of the present invention.

Referring now to the drawings, a film gate is formed by a plate 1 and afilm guide is formed by bolts 7 let into the plate, which has arectangular window 2, forming a mask aperture. The plate is formed witha manifold 3 from which passages 5 have their outlets around the window2. The manifold 3 is connected to a pneumatic system, which in FIGURE 1is designated generally by P, through an inlet pipe 4.

As shown in FIGURE 1, the pneumatic system P includes a vacuum vessel 9incorporated in a branch pipe 11 connecting the suction side of a pump 8and the passages 5 or manifold 3 by way of pipe 4. The volume of thisvessel 9 is so designed that at a given vacuum it can absorb at leastthe quantity of air which is required for a first phase of the suctionoperation. The connecting pipe between the pump 8 and the vessel 9 isprovided with a check valve 30.

A pipe 10 by-passes the vacuum vessel 9 whereby the pump 8 can bedirectly connected to the suction plate 1 through the pipes 10 and 4.Magnetic valves 12 and13 or the like are provided both in the branchpipe 11 between the vessel 9 and the plate 1 and in the by-pass pipe 10.These valves can be controlled by a pressure switch 14 on the plate sidethereof in such a manner that when a negative pressure, which can beadjusted previously on said pressure switch, is reached, the valve 12 inthe branch pipe 11 is closed and the valve 13 in the by-pass pipe 10 isopened. The opening time of the valve 12 disposed in the branch pipe 11can be at least additionally limited by a time impulse generator.

In addition, a vent valve 15 is connected to the pipe 4' leading to theinlet 4. This vent valve is also constructed as a magnetic valve or thelike having an opening time limited by a time impulse generator.Monostable multivibrators which are known in themselves may for examplebe used as time pulse generators.

The function of the apparatus will be described more fully below withreference to the time diagrams shown in FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 2 shows in the section marked a the switching timing(open-closed) of the magnetic valve 12 disposed in the branch pipe 11.The section marked b showsthe corresponding time-pressure relationshipin the suction passages 5 and at the pressure switch 14 respectively.The section marked 0 shows the appertaining timing of the position ofthe vent valve 15. Finally, the section marked d shows the switchingcondition (open-closed) of the magnetic valve 13 contained in theby-pass pipe 10.

The arrows shown in FIGURE 2 symbolise the direction of the functioning.

In the position of rest, all the magnetic valves 12, 13 and 15 areclosed. When the pump 8 is switched on, the vessel 9 is thereforeevacuated. After an original to be printed has been placed on thesuction plate 1, the valve 12 in the branch pipe 11 is opened for aperiod of time T The suction force stored in the vessel is thereforebrought into action. The original is sucked on to the plate 1. As soonas the original is in a fiat position, it closes the apertures 5. Thepressure in the pneumatic system consequently drops. As soon as thepressure valve preadjusted on the pressure switch 14 is reached, thepressure switch responds.

Simultaneously with the opening of the valve 12 the valve 13 in theby-pass pipe is opened and remains open as long as the pressure is belowthe threshold V stipulated by the pressure switch.

Alternatively, valve 13 may be made to open only when the pressureswitch responds shortly before valve 12 closes again.

Between the end of the suction impulse T and the exceeding of thepressure threshold, the film is thus held directly by the vacuumsupplied by the pump 8.

If for any reason the film should not hold (for example it does notcover the entire mask aperture), the two magnetic valves 12 and 13 areautomatically closed after the period of time T The full operation ofthe vacuum vessel 9 is thereby avoided.

After the exposure has been made, the vent valve 15 is opened. Theoriginal can be removed or replaced by another original, whereupon theabove-described operation can be repeated.

The removal of the film during the opening of the vent valve 15 isparticularly effective if the negative is inserted so that its emulsionside is facing the suction plate. In this case, a mirror or similarreversing means must be provided in the path of the illuminating rays ofthe printing machine. Through the tension inherent in the emulsioncoating in conjunction with the film base, the film is bent upwardsalong its centre axis without the application of an external force, sothat it lies in contact at its two side edges. The emulsion side of thefilm is thus also very effectively protected during the transport of thefilm.

The lifting of the original off the suction plate (after the exposurehas been made) can be improved if the passages 5 or 3 can be connectedoptionally to the pressure side of the air suction pump 8. Such anarrangement is shown in FIGURE 1. In this arrangement two furthermagnetic valves 17a and 17b and a pressure reduction valve 18 aredisposed on the pressure branch 16 of the pump 8. These two valves 17aand 17b are so controlled that in the event of exposure not occurringand/or in the event of suction not being effected, the pressure inbranch 16 of the pump 8 will act on the suction plate 1. Through the airunder pressure passing out of the passages 5 an air cushion will beformed which will lift the original off the film gate and hold itsuspended to a certain extent.

The pneumatic system outlined in FIGURE 1 is best ried out as follows.

A switch-on order arriving through a line 19 in the form of an impulseof positive current (of any desired magnitude and form) is conductedthrough the diode 20 to a monostable multivibrator 22 (time impulsegenerator) which is thereby operated.

In consequence of the input pulse of positive current, an impulse of thetime duration T (FIGURE 2) occurs at the output of the multivibrator 22.This impulse passes directly to the control winding of the magneticvalve 12 in the branch pipe 11 (FIGURE 1) and to the control winding ofthe magnetic valve 13 in the by-pass pipe 10 (FIGURE 1) through a diode21, and furthermore feeds an exposure lamp 23 of the automaticphotographic printing machine through a diode 29. The valves 12 and 13are thereby opened at the same time and the exposure lamp 23 is switchedon. The current supply to the lamp 23 is maintained through a contact24.

When the pressure is below the pressure threshold V (FIGURE 2), adjustedon the presssure switch 14 a contact 25 of the pressure switch closes. Apositive voltage then passes through a diode 28 to the winding of themagnetic valve 13 and to the control winding 31 of the exposure shutterof the machine. The original remains held in contact by the suctionapplied through the lines 10 and 11, the shutter is opened and theexposure begins. The exposure time is indicated in FIGURE 2 by thedistance arrow T A switch-off order, arriving through a line 26 likewisein the form of a positive voltage, passes to a second monostablemultivibrator 27, which transmits an impulse of the time duration T(FIGURE 2) to the control winding of the vent valve 15 and opens thelatter for the impulse duration T The original is freed again.

FIGURES 4 and 5 show a preferred form of construction of the suctionplate. The passages 5 and manifold 3 are here formed by correspondingapertures or bores. An original to be printed'is indicated by 6.

The suction plate is preferably madeof transparent or m-att whitematerial (such as that known under the Registered trade mark Plexiglas),so that with the aid of suitable illuminating means not only thenegative to be printed but also the surrounding film areas can be madevisible. This is important not only when the negative numbercorresponding to the image has to be read, but also when the negative tobe printed next must be examined in advance in order to make thenecessary adjustments.

If the plate 1 is constructed in the form of a circular disc and mountedrotatably (ideal axis of rotation at right-angles to the plate andthrough its centre), the negative can in a simple manner he placedeither lengthwise or crosswise as desired, depending on the positioncorresponding to the particular positive format.

In the case of large size masks, the passage mouths are preferablydistributed over all (four) sides of the mask aperture boundary. In thecase of small size masks (film size24 x 36 mm.), it is generallysutficient to provide suction points only on the mask edges lyingtransversely to the direction of the film.

What is claimed is:

1. Means for holding a photographic original to enable the latter to beprinted in an automatic photographic printing machine, comprising aplate intended to receive the original, portions in said plate defininga window aperture of a size corresponding to that of the original to beprinted, means on said plate for locating the original in register withthe window, portions in said plate defining an internal manifoldsurrounding said window, portions in said plate defining outlet passagesleading from said manifold to locations adjacent said window, portionsin said plate defining an inlet passage leading to said manifold, asuction pump, first conduit means connected to said inlet in said plate,second conduit means connecting said first conduit means with saidsuction pump, a vacuum vessel inserted in said second conduit means, afirst magnetic valve also inserted in said second conduit means betweensaid vacuum vessel and said inlet, third conduit means connecting saidsuction pump and said first conduit means and by-passing said secondconduit means, a second magnetic valve in said third conduit means apressure switch connected to said first conduit means and operable tocontrol said first and second magnetic valves in a manner such that,when a negative pressure which is preadjustable on said pressure switchis reached, said first magnetic valve is closed and said second magneticvalve is opened.

2. Means for holding a photographic original to enable the latter to beprinted in an automatic photographic printing machine, comprising aplate intended to receive the original, portions in said plate defininga window aperture of a size corresponding to that of the original to beprinted, means on said plate for locating the original in register withthe window, portions of said plate defining an internal manifoldsurrounding said window, portions in said plate defining outlet passagesleading from said manifold to locations adjacent said window, portionsin said plate defining an inlet passage leading to said manifold, asuction pump, first conduit means connected to said inlet in said plate,second conduit means connecting said first conduit means with saidsuction pump, a vacuum vessel inserted in said second conduit means, afirst magnetic valve also inserted in said second conduit means betweensaid vacuum vessel and said inlet, third conduit means connecting saidsuction pump and said first conduit means and by-passing said secondconduit means, a second magnetic valve in said third conduit means, apressure switch connected to said first conduit means and operable tocontrol said first and second magnetic valves in a manner such that,when a negative pressure which is preadjustable on said pressure switchis reached, said first magnetic valve is closed and said second magneticvalve is opened, and a time impulse generator for limiting the openingtime of said first magnetic valve.

3. The means of claim 2, wherein said time impulse 2 generator is amono-stable multivibrator.

4. Means for holding a photographic original to enable the latter to beprinted in an automatic photographic printing machine, comprising aplate intended to receive the original, portions in said plate defininga window aperture of a size corresponding to that of the original to beprinted,

means on said plate for locating the original in register with thewindow, portions in said plate defining an internal manifold surroundingsaid window, portions in said plate defining outlet passages leadingfrom said manifold to locations adjacent said window, portions in saidplate defining an inlet passage leading to said manifold, a suctionpump, first conduit means connected to said inlet in said plate, secondconduit means connecting said first conduit means with said suctionpump, a vacuum vessel inserted in said second conduit means, a firstmagnetic valve also inserted in said second conduit means between saidvacuum vessel and said inlet, third conduit means connecting saidsuction pump and said first conduit means and bypassing said secondconduitmeans, a second magnetic valve in said third conduit means, apressure switch connected to said first conduit means and operable tocontrol said second magnetic valve in a manner such that, whena'negative pressure which is preadjustable on said pressure switch isreached, said second magnetic valve is opened, a time impulse generatorfor limiting the opening time of said first magnetic valve, a vent valveconnected to said first conduit means, and a time impulse generator forlimiting the opening time of said vent valve.

5. The means of claim 4, wherein said vent valve is a magnetic valve,and wherein said time impulse generators are mono-stablemultivi-brators.

6. Means for holding a photographic original to enable the latter to beprinted in an automatic photographic printing machine, comprising aplate intended to receive the original, portions in said plate defininga window aperture of a size corresponding to that of the original to beprinted, mean-s on said plate for locating the original in register withthe window, portions in said plate defining an internal manifoldsurrounding said window, portions in said plate defining outlet passagesleading from said manifold to locations adjacent said window, portionsin said plate defining an inlet passage leading to said manifold, asuction pump, first conduit means connected to said inlet in said plate,second conduit means connecting said first conduit means with saidsuction pump, a vacuum vessel inserted in said second conduit means, afirst magnetic valve also inserted in said second conduit means betweensaid vacuum vessel and said inlet, third conduit means connecting saidsuction pump and said first conduit means and thy-passing said secondconduit means, a second magnetic valve in said third conduit means apressure switch connected to said first conduit means and operable tocontrol said first and second magnetic valves in a manner such that,when a negative pressure which is preadjustable on said pressure switchis reached, said first magnetic valve is closed and said second magneticvalve is opened, fourth conduit means connecting the pressure side ofsaid suction pump with said inlet, and valve means in said fourthconduit means operable to open and close said fourth conduit means.

7. The means of claim 6, wherein said valve means in said fourth conduitmeans includes a reduction valve and magnetic valves.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,614,470 10/1952Hilmer et al -76 2,826,976 3/ 1958 Gelb 95--76 3,028,786 4/1962Wanielista et al. 8824 3,104,585 9/1963 Wally 95-46 JULIA E. COINER,Primary Examiner.

EVON C. BLUNK, Examiner.

1. MEANS FOR HOLDING A PHOTOGRAPHIC ORIGINAL TO ENABLE THE LATTER TO BEPRINTED IN AN AUTOMATIC PHOTOGRAPHIC PRINTING MACHINE, COMPRISING APLATE INTENDED TO RECEIVE THE ORIGINAL, PORTIONS IN SAID PLATE DEFININGA WINDOW APERTURE OF A SIZE CORRESPONDING TO THAT OF THE ORIGINAL TO BEPRINTED, MEANS ON SAID PLATE FOR LOCATING THE ORIGINAL IN REGISTER WITHTHE WINDOW, PORTIONS IN SAID PLATE DEFINING AN INTERNAL MANIFOLDSURROUNDING SAID WINDOW, PORTIONS IN SAID PLATE DEFINING OUTLET PASSAGESLEADING FROM SAID MANIFOLD TO LOCATIONS ADJACENT SAID WINDOW, PORTIONSIN SAID PLATE DEFINING AN INLET PASSAGE LEADING TO SAID MANIFOLD, ASUCTION PUMP, FIRST CONDUIT MEANS CONNECTED TO SAID INLET IN SAID PLATE,SECOND CONDUIT MEANS CONNECTING SAID FIRST CONDUIT MEANS WITH SAIDSUCTION PUMP, A VACUUM VESSEL INSERTED IN SAID SECOND CONDUIT MEANS, AFIRST MAGNETIC VALVE